Defense Chief Akar inspects troops at Syrian border

ANKARA- Anadolu Agency

Turkey’s defense minister on May 24 welcomed Eid al-Fitr, the holiday marking the end of Islamic fasting month of Ramadan, with the troops deployed at the Syrian border.

Hulusi Akar, accompanied by Chief of General Staff Yaşar Güler, and top commanders of the land, air, and sea forces arrived at the border on May 23 to inspect the troops joining the operations against terrorists in northern Syria.

Akar and commanders visited Turkish troops deployed in various places to inspect and exchange Eid greetings with the soldiers.

Following their visit at the Syrian border, Akar and commanders inspected troops in the Barbaros Frigate joining the Operation Mediterranean Shield in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Meeting them via a video link, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan extended his greeting to the troops on the Eid.

He congratulated the soldiers for their struggle in all the seas of Turkey, including the Mediterranean.

Later, the top commanders visited another group of troops in Hatay joining anti-terrorist efforts in Operation Peace Spring, Turkey’s cross-border offensive in Syria, and Idlib.

During this visit, Erdoğan gave a phone call to the soldiers to congratulate their Eid.

“Turkish people will not forget your heroic fight against terrorism in the Operation Peace Spring, Afrin and Idlib,” he said.

Since 2016, Turkey has launched a trio of successful anti-terrorist operations across its border into northern Syria to prevent the formation of a terror corridor and enable peaceful settlement by locals: Euphrates Shield (2016), Olive Branch (2018), and Peace Spring (2019).

Akar decries 'harassments' in Aegean 

Meanwhile, Akar denounced the recent harassments in the Aegean Sea on May 24. 

“Despite all our attempts, understanding and patience for good neighborly relations, it is not possible to explain the harassment in the Aegean in recent days,” Akar said, aboard the Barbaros Frigate joining the Operation Mediterranean Shield in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Hulusi Akar was also accompanied in the inspection by Turkey’s Chief of General Staff Gen. Yaşar Güler and top commanders of the land, air, and sea forces.

“We have put every effort to solve the issues via dialogue and mutual understanding, and we will continue to do the same,” Akar stressed.